French Gimlet Cocktail Recipe

One simple addition elevates a standard Gimlet in this absolutely delightful French Gimlet cocktail recipe.

A Gin Gimlet is an absolutely undeniable classic cocktail. But a French Gimlet? Next level.

A French Gimlet brings in the sophisticated botanical flavor of St-Germain, adding a chic and easy touch to the usual cocktail.

It’s incredibly easy to create at home and perfect to serve for happy hour, cocktail parties, and brunches.

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History of the French Gimlet

Interestingly, the roots of the Gimlet can be traced to the 19th Century British Navy. Sailors were given a daily ration of lime juice to ward off scurvy. Eventually, it was mixed with a bit of gin to make the citrus juice more palatable.

Many variations have been created over the years, and the French Gimlet is one of them!

What is St-Germain?

St-Germain is the key ingredient that gives a French twist to the Gimlet.

It’s an elderflower liqueur made using elderflowers picked at the height of their bloom in the spring.

The liqueur has a floral, botanical flavor with the perfect amount of sweetness.

Similar Cocktails You’ll Love

If you want to try another take on the Gimlet, our Basil Gin Gimlet is perfect for spring and summer celebrations! It has a lovely herbal flavor that gives it a beautiful freshness.

And to experiment a bit more with St-Germain, try a Hugo Spritz! Spritzes are so easy to make and are practically no-fail coktails.

Ingredients for a French Gimlet Cocktail

Gin. For a Gimlet, I love a light and floral-forward gin like Hendricks.

St-Germain. There are other elderflower liqueurs out there, but my favorite is St-Germain! It’s a bottle that you can invest in and will last a good long while in your bar stash.

Lime Juice. I always recommend fresh citrus juice for cocktails to create the freshest flavor!

How to Make a French Gimlet

1. Pour 2 ounces of gin, 1 1/2 ounces of St-Germain, and 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice to cocktail shaker and shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

French Gimlet Variations and Substitutions

The Gimlet is a great cocktail to try variations with because there are just a few ingredients so they’re simple to switch out.

Try substituting different juices for the lime: lemon, pomegranate, grapefruit, and so on.

To give the feeling of effervescence, you can even try adding a champagne floater.

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